Current Students

Moot Court

The primary purpose of the Moot Court program is to provide an opportunity for law students to improve oral advocacy and brief writing skills through participation in appellate and trial advocacy competitions.

We are looking forward to the upcoming Moot Court season and we wish you all the best in your preparation and tryouts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who is eligible?Any second year law, third year law, or LLM student can try out.

Can I do outside research for tryouts?Yes. All the briefs and documents are fair game and additional research is allowed and encouraged in order to help you do the best you possibly can.

Do I have to do both appellate and mock trial tryouts?No, but please remember that it is highly recommended that you do both. If you participate in only one tryout, you will only be eligible for that style of team.

When will I know what side I am arguing?Sides will be posted at least 24 hours before tryouts. For appellate tryouts you will argue once as the petitioner and once as the respondent. Trial teams will have a chance to be both the prosecutor and defendant.

Do I need a partner?You do not need a partner for the appellate tryouts, but you do for the Burke E. Smith competition/mock trial tryouts. You may pick your own partner, and please note that you need to provide your own witnesses in regards to the mock trial tryouts

I don't have a partner, what do I do?Don't worry if you don't have a partner. Email me at j-dobbert@onu.edu and I will get you matched up with one.

What is the Burke E. Smith Trial Competition?Along with trying out in the mock trial tryouts, you will also be competing in the Burke E. Smith mock trial competition (they are one in the same). Only the first round of this tryout will be judged for moot court team reasons, but teams who advance will compete for the Burke E. Smith title and a cash prize. Also, teams may enter the competition even if they do not wish to try out for moot court.

Will I be at a disadvantage if I have not taken Evidence yet?You will not be at a disadvantage if you have not yet taken Evidence. The trial team coach, Greg Reichart, has created a small booklet filled (see attached) with instructions, objections and motions that can be made during the trial. In addition, if there is enough interest Greg will have a meeting (similar to a TA session) before the mock trial tryouts to answer any questions you might have.

Tryout schedule:

Appellate Tryouts: TBATrial Tryouts: TBA

To tryout, you must submit the following:

1. $10 Cash or Check - Please make sure all checks are made payable to "ONU Moot Court"*

2. Team Ranking Sheet - see attached 2010 Moot CourtTryout information packet- it is located on the last page of the updated information packet and is very important to help you try and get on the team you want so please do not ignore this and fill it out completely)

3. Writing Sample (see below)

*Please note the $10 ten dollars will be held and returned to you after tryouts. If you sign up and then do not tryout, you will forfeit the ten dollars.

An updated tryout information packet is attached. This packet includes the most up to date information, and more importantly contains your preference sheet for moot court teams. If you were unable to attend the Moot Court meeting in the spring semester you need a copy of this information packet.

In addition, there is another packet attached that contains trial tryout information. This packet was constructed to help the trial participants understand the ins and outs of trial strategy and process and help you better prepare for tryouts.

Writing Sample:

If you will be trying out for an appellate team, you must submit a writing sample. Typically, this sample is your first year appellate brief. If you do not have this available, please contact me and we will discuss alternatives (Also, you could contact your Legal Research and Writing teacher from the past year). Please note, you may make grammatical corrections to the brief but no substantive changes may be made. To submit your writing sample, you must follow these guidelines:

1. Attach a single sheet to the front of your sample with your name, e-mail, and phone number.

2. No identifying information should be anywhere on the writing sample itself.

3. Place the sample in a sealed envelope, with identifying material on the front, and put it in the moot court mail box.

**All samples, team ranking sheets, and the $10 are due no later than 5pm in the Moot Court mailbox by Wednesday, September 8th. Please note that this date is different from that given in the original Moot Court Informational Packet during the Spring meeting.**